DEFENSE MINISTER YOON ON OPCON, JIKDO RANGE, AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 003311

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/21/2014


TAGS: PARM PREL MARR PGOV KS
SUBJECT: DEFENSE MINISTER YOON ON OPCON, JIKDO RANGE, AND
BASE RETURNS

REF: SEOUL 03286

Classified By: Amb. Alexander Vershbow. Reasons 1.4 (b,d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: On September 25, following his meeting with
visiting Deputy Under Secretary for Acquisition Alfred
Volkman, Minister of National Defense Yoon Kwang-ung raised
several Alliance issues with the Ambassador one-on-one. On
OPCON, Yoon emphasized the need for the USG to show
flexibility on the timing of the transfer. Yoon welcomed the
developments over the Jikdo training range and counseled
patience regarding outstanding base return issues. The ROK
Defense Minister, noting that his own tern would be ending
soon, said that he and President Roh were determined to
resolve remaining Alliance issues before Roh administration
leaves office at the end of next year. END SUMMARY

OPCON
--------------


2. (C) Minister Yoon repeatedly appealed for Washington to
approach the discussion of the transfer of wartime
operational control (OPCON) with more flexibility, taking
into consideration the views of the South Korean military and
population in general. Yoon described DOD's stance as
"persistent" in seeking transfer in 2009 and stated that he
hoped the U.S. would listen attentively at the upcoming
Security Policy Initiative meeting (SPI 10) to what the ROK
delegation had to say. Highlighting the near 60-year
U.S.-ROK Alliance, Yoon said that a difference of a few years
should not become a "source of unnecessary disagreement."
While the U.S. with its global concerns did not see the
transfer of OPCON as an important issue, this was of enormous
importance to the Korean people. He was surprised at the
outpouring of public concerns, and pleaded that both
countries proceed with a pace that would allow consensus to
form.

Jikdo Range
--------------


3. (C) Minister Yoon said that he had just confirmed with
the Mayor of Kunsan that construction at Jikdo island for the
installation of the scoring system was to begin immediately.
Prime Minister Han had played a key role behind the scenes in
energetically engaging the local authorities. Reflecting on
some senior USFK officials' recent press comments on Jikdo,
Yoon urged U.S. officials in Korea to be more cautious when
discussing the issues publicly. Although
straight-forwardness was always appreciated in private
conversations, public comments by military commanders should
be handled with more sensitivity, Yoon said.

Base Return
--------------


4. (C) Yoon sympathized with USFK officials in their
frustrations in concluding environment remediation for the
bases being returned to the ROK. This was a sensitive item
between the MND and the National Assembly. The ruling Uri
Party in the National Assembly was thinking ahead to the next
election and ignoring the current priorities of the
government. Yoon requested that the U.S. approach the issue
with more patience.

Valedictory Mode
--------------


5. (C) Yoon described President Roh as "very brave" in
tackling Alliance issues throughout his term in office, even
if it caused a "noisy reaction" in the ROK society. He and
President Roh had done their best to maintain the U.S.-ROK
Alliance as a strong and effective institution. As his own
term approaches the end, Yoon said he and President Roh were
determined to "finish the job," referring to the outstanding
Alliance transformation issues such as base returns, OPCON
transfer and Yongsan relocation. Some base return matters
had caused popular criticisms, but Roh was committed to leave
office next year without major outstanding issues for the
next administration. The Ambassador conveyed his
appreciation to Yoon for his efforts in strengthening the
Alliance and commented that during their years working
together, Presidents Bush and Roh had made more changes to
the Alliance than at any other time in history.


6. (C) Comment: Minister Yoon is widely rumored to be

leaving the MND for the NIS later this year. NIS is usually
the home to the most trusted presidential advisor, indicating
an enormous level of good will on the part of President Roh
for his defense minister. Roh does indeed believe that he
has tackled -- and resolved -- the toughest of Alliance
issues, which he could not have done without Yoon.
VERSHBOW